Old Age is the last stage in the life processes of an individual, it can be defined as the life long process of progressive changes in the biological, psychological, and sociological structure of a person. The social aspects of old age are influenced by the relationship of the physiological effects of aging and the collective experiences and shared values of that generation to the particular organization of the society in which it exists. Old aged is categorized as the last stage of life in which there is a limit to what you can perform in your day-to-day activities like a young adult.
The quality of life is described with both objective and subjective dimensions. The majority of the elderly people evaluate their quality of life positively on the basis of social contacts, dependency, health, material circumstances and social comparison. Adaptation and resilience might play a good part in maintaining good quality of life. Although there are no cultural differences in the subjective and objective dimension of quality of life the major factor to be considered with quality of life of an old age are:
Physical Factors:
- Chronic diseases. e.g. diabetes, hypertension, arthritis.
- Cognitive decline. e.g. dementia, Alzheimer’s.
- Sensory impairments. e.g. vision, hearing, taste.
- Physical disability.
- Sleeping disturbances.
- Poor nutrition and hydration.
Psychosocial Factors:
- Depression, anxiety, stress and dementia
- Cognitive impairment, emotional disorders and personality changes
- Mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar, schizophrenia)
- Social isolation, loneliness and loss of loved ones
- Retirement and changes in social roles
Economic Factors:
- Poor Financial security
- Economic dependency.
- Lack of food, basic amenities and poor provision of shelters.
Environmental Factors:
- Poor Living conditions. e.g. safety, accessibility.
- Environmental hazards e.g. pollution, noise.
- Changes in Climatic and weather conditions and poor access to natural resources. e.g. water, green spaces.
Addressing These factors can impact the quality of life and promote well-being of older adults through:
- Maintaining regular exercise, balanced diet and proper nutrition, stay hydrated, and getting access to healthcare services.
- Connecting with family and friends, joining social groups or clubs, volunteer work and always phone or video calls with loved ones.
- Engaging in mentally stimulating activities e.g., reading and writing, playing games and learning new skills like technology or new languages.
- Practicing stress management e.g. meditation, yoga, expressing emotions and thoughts, gratitude and positivity practices and engaging in activities that bring joy.
- Setting goals, pursuing passions and creating a legacy e.g. writing, art, reflecting on life experiences and accomplishments and finding ways to give back to others.
- Staying in a safe and accessible living space, comfortable housing and amenities, access to natural light and outdoor spaces and getting home maintenance and repair support.
- Seeking professional help when needed.